Roar Media Archive - Culture & Identities

Welcome to Roar Media's archive of content published from 2014 to 2023. As of 2024, Roar Media has ceased editorial operations and will no longer publish new content on this website.
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Sri Lanka’s Burgeoning Tamil Rap Industry

Here’s a look at two individuals who have been instrumental in helping Sri Lanka’s Tamil rap music industry grow, even making inroads into Kollywood.

Through The Eyes Of A Returning Traveller: A Memoir by Razeen Sally

‘…in early December 1977, my twelve-year-old self realized I would not be back for some time. So I scribbled something on a piece of paper—something to the effect of ‘I will be back’ —and buried it next to the lemon tree by which I had morning class[…]
That was the end of my Sri Lankan childhood.’
Although he grew up in Sri Lanka, Razeen Sally (54) and his family left the country having experienced increasing tensions, against the setting of a rising civil war.

The Singing Potatoes: The Acoustic Trio With An Unusual Name

Three young girls challenging the unnecessary priority placed on image over content.

Reviving Vaada Baila In Sri Lanka: A Forgotten Form Of Lyrical Debate

Kaffirs, descendants of Portuguese traders and African slaves, popularised the ‘baila’ form of music in Sri Lanka. But there exists a lesser-known form of the music—’vaada baila’, and its champions believe it is an art form in crisis.

British English vs Sri Lankan English: Which Is More Acceptable In Sri Lanka?

Many of the unique expressions and words used in Sri Lanka are unrecognized internationally, and are sometimes just thought to be bad English. However, Michael Meyler, the author of “The Dictionary of Sri Lankan English,” thinks that the way English is used in Sri Lanka offers an insight into our culture, and deserves to be recognized as one variety of the world’s Englishes.

From Neela to Sakkai-Muniyayi: The Story Of Sri Lankan Comic Strips

Story of srilankan comic strips

5 Art Forms That Are Truly Sri Lankan

There are many forms of art that call Sri Lanka home and have contributed towards its distinct identity. Lets take a look at some that have roots so deep in Lankan history that without them this island paradise would not be what it is today.

The Story Of A Travelling Planetarium

We always pine to travel among the stars. The closest we can get to know the cosmos beyond the Earth’s atmosphere is through a planetarium. This is the story of Sri Lanka’s largest mobile planetarium built by one person.

Vaada Baila of Sri Lanka

Vaada Baila—an entertaining but dying form of Sri Lankan music—is where singers essentially debate each other in Baila verse. We speak to Percy Rajapaksha, who has been a champion of Vaada Baila for over 40 years.

Four Local Nicknames For Foreign Vehicles

Sri Lankans are great at naming things, including cars and bikes.

From Madol Duwa to Kukureu: Literary Relations Between Russia And Sri Lanka

Almost every Sinhalese book reader in Sri Lanka will know ‘Guru Geethaya’ — the Sinhalese translation of Chingiz Aitmatov’s ‘The First Teacher.’ It’s a love that covers Russian literature and it goes back decades.

The Left Bank Of Sri Lankan Cinema: Dharmasena Pathiraja

Just over a year ago we lost one of Sri Lanka’s cinematic titans with the passing of Dharmasena Pathiraja. Remembered with respect as a pioneer of Sri Lanka’s Left Bank of cinema and second cinematic revolution, he shone a spotlight on the unseen struggle of many ordinary people through his body of work.

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